Asahiyama Zoo in HOKKAIDO | Sapporo To ASAHIKAWA, Snow Animals, Asahikawa Shrine | JAPAN DAY 5 [1/2]

Asahiyama Zoo in HOKKAIDO | Sapporo To ASAHIKAWA, Snow Animals, Asahikawa Shrine | JAPAN DAY 5 [1/2]

Hi there. In this video, we travelled 
from Sapporo to Asahikawa to explore the beauty that the city has to offer. First 
on our list was their famous zoological garden which is home to different snow 
animals and is the origin of penguin walks in Japan. What are we waiting 
for? Let’s make our way to Asahikawa. Where are we going? Asahikawa. We are leaving Sapporo for now and going to Asahikawa. Where are we going? We’re going to Asahikawa. The next city to explore in our list during our
Hokkaido adventure was Asahikawa. If you missed our Sapporo tour prior to this, check out 
the linked video playlist below so you can catch up. Asahikawa is easily accessible 
by bus from Sapporo. For only 2,500 yen, you get to hop on a 2-hour bus ride to the city. 
No reservation was needed during a travel date, and buses were available from 7:00AM to 9:30PM.
Buses were also available at 30-minute interval, so we didn’t have to worry much. 
There was an option to take the train as well, but the bus worked better for us since the 
terminal was so close to our chosen hotels at either ends of the trip. That meant less dragging
of a luggage along icy roads. Plus, a luggage also had a dedicated undercarriage storage, 
so we were able to enjoy warm seats in peace. I highly recommend this mode of 
transportation if you’re going to Asahikawa. The bus ride itself was honestly really peaceful. 
If you’re planning to visit during winter, it’s just nice to relax and enjoy the snowy 
landscape outside. Looking at the trees, the roofs, and the snowy 
fields was so weirdly calming. So this is the Asahikawa. It is the second largest 
city in Hokkaido and is known for its extremely low winter temperatures. It recorded the lowest 
temperature in Japan at -41°C back in January 1902. We are now in Asahikawa and we’re just walking 
to get to our hotel and there’s snowfall again. That’s the hotel. We stayed at Hotel Wing International Asahikawa Ekimae, 
which is conveniently located next to a shopping mall and the train station. Price per night ranges 
around 10,000 Yen depending on the booking dates. In my experience, the hotel provided a 
perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and accessibility. During the travel planning, 
we knew that to really make the most of our time, especially with the longer bus intervals outside 
the city center, renting a car was the way to go. Based on our research, we figured that Budget Car
Rental offered the cheapest package. We paid about 51,000 Yen for 5 days rental, including full 
insurance coverage. Although it’s not walking distance from the hotel, they provide free pickup 
and drop off service from the train station, which is literally just across the street. And 
that wasn’t inconvenient at all. They gave us a phone number to call once we’re ready to be 
picked up. So, what we did was request for some assistance from the hotel’s front desk to call 
the car rental company. They happily helped us and even managed to request from the car rental 
company to pick us up directly from the hotel. The process of picking up the car 
was fairly easy. After providing our proof of international driver’s 
license and settling a payment, we got a trusty set of wheels and 
got the freedom to explore the city. Let’s go? Upon getting the car, we headed straight 
to Asahiyama Zoo. I’d like to note though that buses do run to the zoo, but the intervals are 
quite long and the last ones leave pretty early in the afternoon, so renting a car helped us maximize 
the day. Quick heads up, if you are planning to drive in Japan as a tourist, make sure that you 
have an international driving permit. Another friendly reminder, in Japan, they drive on the 
left hand side of the road, which might take a bit of getting used to if you’re from a right-hand 
drive country. Plus, although the roads are supposedly well marked, they are mostly covered 
in snow in winter. So, you need a lot of extra attention and caution when driving. In addition to 
that, if you are driving in winter like we were, especially up here in Hokkaido, rental cars usually 
come with snow tires, but it’s always good to drive cautiously and leave extra space on icy 
roads. Where are we going? Straight. Ah, zoo. We’re going to Asahiyama Zoo. As if we’re going to see anything! We picked up the car.
Quiet. We picked up the car and he’s driving and the weather is very ideal, we’re confident. It’s snowing 
very very light. It’s snowing quite a bit. A bit. It’s just a bit. Yeah, like there’s no visibility further there, 
but you can still see the road. It’s still okay. Hopefully the animals are awake. 
We’ll push for the penguin run at 2:30PM. Yeah, there’s only two penguin runs 
one at 11:00AM and one at 2:30PM so, we are aiming for the 2:30PM
I think we still have heaps of time, so we can still grab some snacks. 
I’m starting to get hungry. Yeah. The Asahiyama Zoo is usually open from 
9:30AM to 5:15PM every day. However, in winter, the zoo offers extended 
hours until 8:30PM for a few days, featuring illuminated pathways. 
For a little bit of background, Asahiyama Zoo first opened its doors in 1967. 
And for a while, it was just like any other zoo. But by mid ’90s, it faced the threat 
of closure due to declining visitor numbers. So that all changed when a dedicated team had a 
revolutionary idea of redesigning the enclosures to show how animals behave in their natural 
environments instead of just displaying them. Now, about 1.4 million people visit the zoo annually 
and admission to the zoo is only 1,000 Yen. Oh, they’re massive. Did you know that hippos have relatively thin skin and 
are not equipped to handle prolonged exposure to cold temperatures and snow? That said, zoos take 
precautions to protect hippos from cold weather by providing heated pools in the enclosures or 
limiting the time outdoors when temperatures drop. It’s a misconception that just because you have 
a big belly and, you know, you don’t have any cuts in your muscles that doesn’t mean 
you’re fat. Hippopotamus is a great example. They have 3% body fat but 
they look fat but they’re 97% muscles. Next up are the magnificent polar 
bears. Their enclosure here is amazing. They have this incredible underwater viewing 
tunnel where you can actually see them dive and swim right above your head. It’s been 
designed to encourage their natural hunting and swimming behaviours. Did you know that 
polar bears have a thick layer of blubber and a dense fur coat that helps them survive 
in extremely cold arctic temperatures? Did you also know that they can hold their 
breath for significant time underwater? The longest recorded dive being 3 
minutes and 10 seconds for a polar bear. Lunch with a garnish of snow. Cherry tomatoes. We’re just refuelling them so we can walk around. The Ezo brown bear, also known as the Ussuri 
brown bear, is a subspecies native to Hokkaido, Japan. They are the largest 
land mammal on the island, and the Ainu people historically referred
to them as the gods of the mountains. Okay, this was what we’ve been waiting for. The 
penguin walk at Asahiyama Zoo. It happens only during winter and it’s hands down one of the most 
iconic experience you can have in Hokkaido. Every winter, the king penguins go on this adorable 
walk through the zoo. But it’s not just for show. These penguins can go up for several kilometers a 
day in the wild. So the walk is actually part of their daily exercise. This tradition started as 
a way to keep the penguins healthy during snowy season when they cannot roam long distances in 
their enclosure. It turned into a beautiful way to connect people with these amazing animals while 
supporting their well-being. It typically runs from late December to mid-March with two daily walks 
at 11:00AM and 2:30PM. It only lasts about 10 to 15 minutes, but it’s such a heartwarming 
moment, and it’s one of those travel memories that really sticks with you. During our visit, 
it appeared that people started gathering along the walking path at least 15 minutes prior. 
So, keep that in mind if you want a good spot for viewing the walk. Actually, if I were you, I 
wouldn’t miss this experience. To be honest, I stopped going to 
zoos for a long time. For years, I felt really uncomfortable about the idea 
of animals being kept in small enclosures. It just felt like entertainment 
at the cost of their freedom. But you know what? I started learning more about 
how some zoos or most zoos actually are playing a huge role in animal conservation and education. 
For instance, Asahiyama Zoo is actually known for its conservation efforts alongside its focus on 
animal welfare and knowledge. Asahiyama Zoo was the first facility in Japan to succeed in natural breeding 
of cold region animals such as polar bears, Amur leopards, and Scops owls. This very zoo 
actively engages in research, breeding programs for endangered species, and educational initiatives 
to promote awareness about wildlife conservation. Did you know that Amur or Siberian 
tigers are the largest of all tiger subspecies and have the thickest fur providing 
insulation against the cold? Also, their large paws act like built-in snow shoes, allowing 
them to walk on top of deep snow. Actually, seeing such magnificent creatures up close in 
an enclosure honestly still makes me feel sad. However, encounters like this should remind us 
of the importance of preserving these incredible animals and most importantly their habitats for 
future generations. They have a really nice view here. If you want like some good photo 
spot, they have such good views here in Asahiyama Zoo. If you want a good photo spot while you’re 
touring Asahikawa you might as well do it here in the zoo. It’s really cool. Okay, move a bit. Move over there. 
He’s going to take a photo of me. Yeah, I will. Stop. We’re going to look for the capybara, but 
it’s snowing so bad, so I’m not sure if they’re going to be here. Okay, it says capybara is in the 
indoor exhibit. The sign says it’s indoors. Yeah. Do you want anything? Yes, I want you. Yes? We’re finished. Almost finished. We’re 
going to check the giraffe again. If it’s out. We’re going to check on the deer if it’s walking. 
The deer? Yeah, it’s on the way. Okay, the deer. Be careful there. We are going to the Asahikawa Shrine now. We’re just 
walking out of the zoo. It’s really good. Thank you! Thank you! Uh it’s really good. I would really recommend 
that anyone visiting Asahikawa to visit the zoo. And if you can’t do like longer stays in Asahikawa, 
they also do day trip from Sapporo. If you book via a tour like Klook. Just look for it. Yeah, just to
watch the penguin run. Yeah and you get to go to other places in Asahikawa too, but 
like shortest stays. I think it’s worth it. Yes. It’s worth it. Okay. Seeing the penguins get organised,
how good can that be. We’re walking back to the car. Let’s see how 
it looks like. It’s orange, lovey. Here. After the amazing trip to the zoo, we took 
a moment for some quiet reflection here in Asahikawa. We decided to visit the Asahikawa Shrine and 
upon arrival, we were mesmerised by the beauty of the place. The shrine under the blanket of fresh 
snow was truly breathtaking. As we approached the shrine, the first thing we saw was an impressive 
Torii gate. In Japan, these gates mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine, signifying the transition 
from the mundane world into a sacred space. This is the Asahikawa Shrine. It’s just 5 minutes 
away from Asahiyama Zoo if you want to visit via car. I don’t know how easy or how hard it could be if you’re just 
using public transport. The shrine itself was beautifully traditional. We could clearly 
see the intricate details of the architecture on it. It was clearly a place of quiet 
contemplation and spiritual connection. I believe even if you’re not religious, 
the sense of peace that you’ll feel here would be undeniable. As we wandered through 
its grounds, every element felt so serene. For me, visiting Asahikawa Shrine was a 
special part of our Hokkaido trip. It was a reminder of Japan’s deep cultural roots 
and the tranquil beauty of its winter landscape. It was such a wonderful place for a 
moment of calm and reflection amidst our travel. As we were leaving the shrine, we noticed the playground next to 
it and I just had to try the slide. Thank you so much for watching. Subscribe 
and like if you enjoyed this video and let me know your thoughts in the comment 
section below. After our morning trip, we went straight to exploring 
the Asahikawa Winter Festival.

Hi there! Sharing with you first day in Asahikawa! Our first day was nothing but fun! Check out the rest of our Japan adventure here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGLHl208N1HWihUBxtBR42F6R_hs_9ztF

In this video, we stepped into a winter wonderland as we journeyed from Sapporo to Asahikawa, Hokkaido’s charming second-largest city, famous for its extreme cold and incredible attractions! In this vlog, we went deep into the magic of Asahiyama Zoo, home to the iconic penguin walk. Also, we had a serene and historical visit to the snow-covered Asahikawa Shrine. This video is filled with breathtaking landscapes, ethical animal encounters, and all the essential travel advice for your next unforgettable Hokkaido winter adventure!
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AFFILIATES
AGODA Bookings: https://www.agoda.com/partners/partnersearch.aspx?pcs=1&cid=1941602&hl=en-us
KLOOK Bookings: https://www.klook.com/invite/MGZU2Q?c=AUD
[DISCOUNT CODE: HAZELMAYCEKLOOK]
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RELEVANT LINKS
Asahikawa Express Bus Timetable: https://rakutokubus.jp/businformation/asahikawa.html
Hotel Wing International Asahikawa Ekimae: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=77928&aff_adid=1086028&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Fhotels%2F248919%3F
Asahikawa Tour From Sapporo: https://affiliate.klook.com/redirect?aid=77928&aff_adid=1086032&k_site=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.klook.com%2Fen-US%2Factivity%2F105219-asahikawa-zoo-ningle-terrace-shirahige-waterfall-day-tour-private-tour-sapporo%2F
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CONNECT WITH ME
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazelmayce/
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CHAPTERS | Travel Date: 10 February 2025
00:00 – Introduction
02:45 – Chuo Bus Terminal
04:50 – Asahikawa City
05:45 – Hotel Wing International Asahikawa Ekimae
06:52 – Budget Car Rental
10:01 – Asahiyama Zoo
15:27 – Penguin Walk
22:52 – Asahikawa Shrine
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FREE MUSIC | THEMATIC
Music by Lyle Kam – rush – https://thmatc.co/?l=90B2DAC6
Music by Gordon Crumb – Uyakhumbula – https://thmatc.co/?l=152D631B
Music by Gordon Crumb – Engagement – https://thmatc.co/?l=89F987C1
Music by cold winter breeze – above the haze – https://thmatc.co/?l=51EF7D73
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#hokkaido #asahikawa #asahiyamazoo #sapporo #japan